The Special One successfully worked with Mijatovic, the former Real Madrid player and sporting director, on a number of previous transfers involving players from the Balkans, including Real Madrid’s signing of Luka Modric and Chelsea’s re-purchase of Nemanja Matic.

Snatching Dembele would be a bigger statement and a longer-term investment for United. But Perisic is a more realistic target and an experienced player in his prime.

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